Perry Public Schools is pleased to announce a $62,000 grant from the Malzahn Family Affiliated Fund that will provide scholarships for Perry High School students participating in concurrent enrollment.
The Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship Program covers the cost of college classes for all PHS students currently taking concurrent courses, removing a significant financial barrier and making the opportunity accessible to every eligible student who chooses to participate.
This year, 27 seniors and 25 juniors are enrolled in concurrent classes, with many students taking more than one college course. Through concurrent enrollment, students have the opportunity to earn college credit while completing their high school education, giving them valuable exposure to college-level coursework and helping them prepare for life after graduation.
The grant application was written by PHS Senior Emma Wosmek, who wanted to help ensure that other Perry students could experience the benefits of concurrent enrollment without having to worry about the cost.
“I wanted to write the grant because being able to take college classes while in high school gives me and other Perry students an advantage academically over students that do not have this opportunity,” Wosmek said. “I wanted to be the face that the foundation would see as someone who benefits from this.”
For Wosmek, the opportunity has provided both academic preparation and significant financial savings as she looks toward graduation.
“This grant gives great college exposure for us and prepares us to be ready once we graduate,” she said. “I appreciate graduating with almost a full year of credit hours completed, and I am thankful to save so much money.”
Wosmek said she also recognizes the impact the scholarship program will have on her classmates.
“I know everyone else who takes concurrent classes are also super thankful they don’t have to worry about affording these classes,” she said.
Perry Public Schools is incredibly grateful to Emma for taking the initiative to write the grant and advocate for her fellow classmates, and to high school counselor Tiffany Nelson who mentored Emma through the grant process. The district also extends its sincere appreciation to the Malzahn Family Affiliated Fund for helping make college-level learning more accessible to all PHS students.